The Painted-on Molding in Scott Csoke’s Home Makes It Feel Like a Drawing

Cullen Ormond
·5 min read
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Art filled living room in eclectic apartment.
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Trim painted on wall in living room of eclectic apartment.
Pink bar cart in eclectic apartment
Paper flowers in vase on tabletop in apartment.
Vintage plate hanging on wall in eclectic apartment.
Trim painted on wall above folding dining table in eclectic apartment.
Matching dog lamps on folding dining table in eclectic apartment.
Hand painted moulding on wall in kitchen.
Vintage french art print above stove.
Plates on wall in eclectic apartment.
View into bedroom from hallway.
Gingham bedding in art filled bedroom.
Art wall in eclectic bedroom.
Striped upholstered stool in hand painted bedroom.
Red and white gingham bedding in French styled apartment.
Hand painted dresser in apartment.
Art wall in eclectic bedroom.

Two years ago, when artist Scott Csoke’s college best friend, Kathryn Vaughn, was looking for a new roommate, they jumped at the chance. For one, Csoke understands that the New York real estate market isn’t for the faint of heart.

Matching dog lamps on folding dining table in art filled apartment.

“New York doesn’t always allow you infinite options for apartments, so when something falls in your lap, you have to take it,” they say. And secondly, the two-bedroom Williamsburg apartment checked a lot of aesthetic boxes.

Wicker lamp on bedroom dresser.

Not only does the apartment have gorgeous natural light, but it’s also super spacious, with two identical-sized bedrooms on either end. Csoke has found homes for the “million things” that they’ve collected throughout the years. But also, it was a lived-in, blank canvas for them to make their own.

Brass rimmed mirror on hand painted wall in eclectic apartment.

“I could never live somewhere so sterile. I find it incredibly intimidating,” Csoke says. “Starting tabula rasa seems like a good idea until everything turns gray and white. I have to have color. I love having things around me that constantly make me happy and are bright.”

Glass front cupboard in apartment hallway.

Csoke painted moldings on their walls, which made them feel like they “drew” their home. “It’s funny and wonky, just like me. Something that looks real, but isn’t. I love that that is something a lot of people who decorate equally enjoy,” they explain. “I have to have color and humor. It’s so important to me and how I start and end my day.”

Resources

Matching dog lamps on folding dining table in eclectic apartment.

PAINT & COLORS

  • Base Color — Chosen by Landlord

  • Paneling — True Value “Formosa Pink”

View into bedroom from hallway.

ENTRY

  • Vintage Art — Antique Stores and John Derian

Eclectic apartment living room.

LIVING ROOM

  • Sofa — Vintage

  • Pillows — Carleton Varney

  • Red Chair — Vintage

  • Pillow — John Derian

  • Coral Lamp — Safavieh

  • Lampshade — Scott Csoke

  • Art — Vintage, Some by Me

  • X-Bench — The Inside  

  • Dining Table — Vintage

  • Rug — Safavieh

  • Pink Bamboo Table — One Kings Lane

  • Staffordshire Lamps — Vintage

  • Library Lamp — Vintage

  • Side Table — Amazon

  • Side Table — Vintage

  • Side Table — IKEA

  • Bench — Target

Hand painted moulding on wall in kitchen.

KITCHEN

Gingham bedding in art filled bedroom.

BEDROOM

  • Dresser — Vintage

  • Pink table — One Kings Lane

  • Table — Devol Kitchen

  • X-Bench — The Inside

  • Side Table — Vintage

  • Rug — Wayfair

Thanks Scott!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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